So did I over react after game one or is there still cause for concern as an RSL fan?
Watching my team destroy Columbus was some of the most fun I have had watching RSL on television. It was great to see Findley with the hat-trick and it is rare to feel that comfortable in the last 30 minutes of a RSL game.
But, Coach J.K. said something interesting in the postgame interviews that I think bears a lot of truth. Paraphrasing here, but he alluded to the idea that our play against Columbus really didn't differ that much from our play versus Seattle, our shots just happened to hit the back of the net this time around.
Very on cue comment in my opinion. RSL played poorly in the first half and stepped it up in the second half once again. Despite two goals (which were more poor goalkeeping than great offense), our first half consisted of poor passing and many scary Crew runs at goal. The second half showed much improved offensive possession with two beautiful goals, by Findley and Beckerman.
A few things I took away from this game...
Good -
Yura and Robbie seem to be forming some great chemistry up top, if they can continue to help each other out we may see some great things from those two.
Whatever Jason is screaming at these guys in the locker room seems to be helping...that is two games in a row that the guys have come out with an improved fire after the half.
I still wouldn't call his play stellar, but Beltran was much improved this match. And it was obvious that Columbus watched their game film as they attacked his side hard and consistently, especially in the first half.
The 'could be improved' -
Where in the world is Javi Morales? Second only to the 2-0 Sounder loss, I would consider Javi's play the most disappointing aspect of the season so far. It is very early, but I expected more from the guy that should have pushed for player of the year in 2008. Hopefully it is still to come.
Our first half play and primarily the possession have been horrendous. If this continues there are going to be multiple teams that make us pay dearly. Maybe the coaching staff can arrange the schedule so that the halftime speech can now be given before the game starts.
Defensive lapses. Though Columbus wasn't able to make us pay in the same way that Seattle did we still had some cringe-inducing defensive moments. I really hope we can clean those up. A healthy Robbie Russell may help there.
Looking forward I am both optimistic and cautious, but I believe if Yura can start hitting some of his chances in the back of the net and Escalada proves to be adequate me may be okay. But remember, repeating last years results will not be enough for most fans. We need to improve.
What to think?
